BS38 Carb float height question

[GBR21]

Hello all, i've been lurking here on the forum for a few months after I picked up a 1980 special. Firstly, thank you to everyone that contributes to the wealth of knowledge here it really makes getting into these bikes accessible for new wrenchers like myself. Now onto my question: I picked up a 1980 special and using the guide found here have been rebuilding the carb. I have identified that the carb is actually a late bs38 (aluminum tops, internal bowl vents, jet sizes are 27.5 pilot, 130 main (im in canada), z2 needle) so they require a float height of 24mm +/- 1mm. When measuring the float height one carb was bang on and the other was out a few mm. Upon further inspection I noticed that what was actually happening is that one of the float needles is actually stiffer than the other so when I "lower the floats gently onto the float needle" one is strong enough to not compress but one does slightly giving an inaccurate measurement. When I swap the float needles temporarily and measure, the float height is indeed correct. When I hold the carb so the float are sideways and slowly rotate until it just touches the float needle, the measurement is correct. The float needle appears to seat well, is not deformed or marred etc so will this cause a problem during normal operation when everything is back together? Of course I could just order a new set and that may be the appropriate action, but I am trying to learn and couldn't find an answer to this specific question. Any thoughts/insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all again!

 

[5twins]

I would try to free up that sticking plunger on that one float needle because normally, you set the float height with the carb level and the weight of the float slightly depressing it. Maybe it's gummed up with gas varnish. Spray it with some carb cleaner and work it in and out to see if you can free it up.